Magic Springs and Crystal Falls facts for kids
The entrance to Magic Springs Theme and Water Park.
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| Location | Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States |
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| Coordinates | 34°31′10″N 93°0′57″W / 34.51944°N 93.01583°W |
| Status | open |
| Opened | July 22, 1978 |
| Owner | EPR Properties |
| Operated by | Premier Parks, LLC |
| Operating season | April–October daily through May–August |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 27 |
| Roller coasters | 5 |
| Water rides | 2 |
Magic Springs Theme and Water Park is an exciting amusement park and water park located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It's about 50 miles from Little Rock. When you buy one ticket, you get to enjoy all the rides and attractions in both parks all day long!
The park is open on weekends from April through October. It's open every day from late May through mid-August. Magic Springs first opened in 1977. It closed for a while in 1995, but thankfully, it reopened in 2000. Today, EPR Properties owns Magic Springs Theme and Water Park, and Premier Parks, LLC runs it.
Contents
History of Magic Springs
Magic Springs Family Fun Park first opened its gates on July 22, 1978. Over the years, the park faced some challenges and eventually closed in 1995.
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Thanks to support from the people of Hot Springs, Magic Springs and Crystal Falls reopened on May 27, 2000. Many visitors came to the park that year, and it continued to grow. In 2003, the Timberwood Amphitheater opened, offering fun concerts.
In 2004, the park added a super cool roller coaster called The Gauntlet. This helped even more people visit the park. Over time, the park's ownership and management changed a few times. In late 2016, EPR Properties bought Magic Springs. Premier Parks, LLC then took over running the park. At this time, the park's name officially became Magic Springs Theme and Water Park.
Awesome Rides and Attractions
Magic Springs has many different rides for everyone, from thrilling roller coasters to fun family adventures and special rides for younger kids!
Exciting Roller Coasters
- Arkansas Twister – (48" height requirement) This is a classic wooden roller coaster with a big 92-foot drop! It used to be in Florida before coming to Magic Springs.
- The Gauntlet – (52" height requirement) Get ready for loops and twists on this suspended looping coaster! It has a 110-foot drop and gives a really smooth ride. It was built in 2004.
- X-Coaster – (52" height requirement) This unique coaster sends you 150 feet into the air for an amazing inversion! It's the only one of its kind in North America and was built in 2006.
- Diamond Mine Run Roller Coaster – (between 36" and 42" with an adult) A smaller, exciting coaster perfect for a fun ride.
- Big Bad John – (42" height requirement) This mine train roller coaster has a 41-foot drop. It has traveled from other parks to find its home here!
Thrilling Rides for Adventurers
- The Hawk – (48" height requirement) This ride spins you over 70 feet in the air, rotating in both directions!
- Sky Shark – (42" height requirement) Soar 150 feet high on this amazing Sky Coaster! Please note, there's an extra cost for this ride.
- Brain Drain – (48" height requirement) Brace yourself for a 13-story drop on this super shot tower, added in 2018!
- Plummet Summit – (42" to ride alone, 36" with an adult) Get ready for a big splash on this ride with a 50-foot drop!
Fun Family Rides
- Rum Runner Pirate Ship – (between 42" and 48" with an adult) Swing back and forth like a pirate on this fun ship ride that opened in 2000.
- Old No. 2 Logging Company – (between 36" and 42" with an adult) Go on a log flume adventure through rapids before a big splash into a pool! This ride has been here since 1978.
- Carousel – (under 42" with an adult) Enjoy a classic ride on horses and carriages.
Exciting Kids' Rides
- Fearless Flyers – (under 42" with an adult, 1 adult per car) Control your own small airplane as it spins and goes up and down.
- Looney Ballooney – (under 42" with an adult, 1 adult per car) Ride in hot air balloons that gently rise and spin.
- Bugga Booga Wheel – (under 42" with an adult, 1 adult per car) A miniature ferris wheel with a fun bug theme.
- Kit 'n Kaboodle Express – (less than 42" with an adult) A miniature train ride that's exciting for the little ones.
- Lil' Leapin' Lizards – (minimum 42", maximum 48") A gentle and fun freefall tower.
- Clown Around – (maximum 54") A bouncy jump-around ride.
Past Rides at the Park
Over the years, some rides have left Magic Springs to make way for new attractions or to find new homes at other parks. These include:
- Twist N' Shout Zamperla Wild Mouse (removed in 2012)
- Dr. Deans Rocket Machine (removed in 2016)
- Wild Thang (removed before 2016)
- Roaring Tornado (removed in 1990)
- Sky Hook (removed in 1995)
Timberwood Amphitheater
The Timberwood Amphitheater is a modern concert place right inside the park. It hosts many different shows and concerts every Saturday during the park's open season. You can sit on the lawn for free, or buy reserved seats closer to the stage for a small fee.
Fun Annual Events
Magic Springs hosts special events throughout the year for even more fun!
- Education In Motion – These are special days for school groups where park fun is connected to classroom lessons.
- Magic Screams – In October, Magic Springs transforms into a spooky and fun Halloween festival called Magic Screams!
Crystal Falls Water Park
Crystal Falls is the amazing water park part of Magic Springs Theme and Water Park. The best part is, it's included with your regular park admission! Crystal Falls is open daily from May through mid-August, and on weekends until the end of September.
Crystal Falls has many cool water attractions, including:
- Bear Cub Bend – A special play zone just for younger kids.
- Crystal Cove Wave Pool – Splash and play in the waves!
- Crystal Lagoon – This area has four tube slides, three body slides, and an activity pool. It opened in 2007.
- Grizzly Creek Splash Zone – A fun activity zone for kids with a suspended bridge and three smaller water slides.
- High Sierra Slide Tower – Race down four different tube slides, some of which are super dark!
- Kodiak Canyon Adventure River – Relax and float along this adventure river.
- Rapid Falls Raceway – Challenge your friends on these seven side-by-side racing slides, opened in 2008.
- Boogie Blast – Try out this cool wave simulator where you can bodyboard or surf! It opened in 2010.
- Splash Island – A huge water play area with lots of fun features, opened in 2012.
Park Awards
Magic Springs Theme and Water Park has received several awards for being a great place to visit, including:
- "Best of the Best" – from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
- Golden Guard Award – for excellent lifeguarding.
- Southern Travel Treasure – from AAA.
- The Natural State Award – for being Arkansas's top tourist attraction.
- Best Area Attraction – from the Hot Springs Sentinel-Record.
- Top Three Family Friendly Parks in the Nation – from Better Homes and Gardens.
